Windland Smith Rice
Encyclopedia
Sandra Windland "Wendy" Smith Rice (1970–2005) was an American
photographer well known for her work in nature and animals.
, founder of FedEx
. FedEx's first plane in 1973 was named Wendy after her.
Graduated from St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, Tennessee
. At Duke University, she studied drama. She pursued a dramatic career in Hollywood, where she had very modest success (2 minor movie roles and 2 television episodes over a span of about 3 years). (Some of her credits are under the name "Windlind Smith".)
She married Jeffrey Scott Rice, a business executive. They had two sons, Mason Frederick Rice and Alden James Rice.
Windland Smith Rice became an accomplished photographer of nature and animals, completing commissions for organizations such as Fujifilm
, the National Geographic Society
, and Nature's Best Photography
magazine. Her work won several awards and has been exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
. The annual Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards are named after her. She was also well known in the field for her encouragement of other photographers.
Her interest in working with wildlife was exemplified by her membership on the board of the Earthfire Institute, an organization "dedicated to protecting wildlife by creating a bridge between humans, and animals in the wild," by rescuing animals that can no longer live in the wild.
Windland Smith Rice died of Long QT Syndrome
Type 2, a cause of death that particularly affects athletes. Windland Smith Rice was a triathlete and marathon runner. The Mayo Clinic
has opened the Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory to study this and similar diseases.
Following Windland Smith Rice's death, her sister, Molly Smith, produced the film P.S. I Love You
, which she dedicated to Windland Smith Rice.
A portfolio of Rice's nature pictures of Yellowstone
are featured in the Memphis Zoo's Teton Trek.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
photographer well known for her work in nature and animals.
Biography
Rice was the first child of Frederick W. SmithFrederick W. Smith
Fred Sidney Smith III , or Fred Smith, is the founder, chairman, president, and CEO of FedEx, originally known as Federal Express, the first overnight express delivery company in the world, and the largest in the United States...
, founder of FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
. FedEx's first plane in 1973 was named Wendy after her.
Graduated from St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. At Duke University, she studied drama. She pursued a dramatic career in Hollywood, where she had very modest success (2 minor movie roles and 2 television episodes over a span of about 3 years). (Some of her credits are under the name "Windlind Smith".)
She married Jeffrey Scott Rice, a business executive. They had two sons, Mason Frederick Rice and Alden James Rice.
Windland Smith Rice became an accomplished photographer of nature and animals, completing commissions for organizations such as Fujifilm
Fujifilm
is a multinational photography and imaging company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.Fujifilm's principal activities are the development, production, sale and servicing of color photographic film, digital cameras, photofinishing equipment, color paper, photofinishing chemicals, medical imaging...
, the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
, and Nature's Best Photography
Nature's Best Photography
Nature's Best Photography is a magazine based in Reston, Virginia. Its primary focus is to inspire greater understanding and stewardship of nature through the art of photography....
magazine. Her work won several awards and has been exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
. The annual Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards are named after her. She was also well known in the field for her encouragement of other photographers.
Her interest in working with wildlife was exemplified by her membership on the board of the Earthfire Institute, an organization "dedicated to protecting wildlife by creating a bridge between humans, and animals in the wild," by rescuing animals that can no longer live in the wild.
Windland Smith Rice died of Long QT Syndrome
Long QT syndrome
The long QT syndrome is a rare inborn heart condition in which delayed repolarization of the heart following a heartbeat increases the risk of episodes of torsade de pointes . These episodes may lead to palpitations, fainting and sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation...
Type 2, a cause of death that particularly affects athletes. Windland Smith Rice was a triathlete and marathon runner. The Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
has opened the Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory to study this and similar diseases.
Following Windland Smith Rice's death, her sister, Molly Smith, produced the film P.S. I Love You
P.S. I Love You (film)
P.S. I Love You is a 2007 American drama film directed by Richard LaGravenese. The screenplay by LaGravenese and Steven Rogers is based on the 2004 novel of the same name by Cecelia Ahern. The film is dedicated to the memory of producer Molly Smith's sister Windland Smith Rice.-Plot:Holly and Gerry...
, which she dedicated to Windland Smith Rice.
A portfolio of Rice's nature pictures of Yellowstone
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the Earth and is partly located in Yellowstone National Park. Conflict over management has been controversial, and the area is a flagship site among conservation groups...
are featured in the Memphis Zoo's Teton Trek.